Tech Industry

4,148 'Tech Industry' stories June 2007 - July 2013

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Google takes on iPad mini with new Nexus 7 & Android 4.3, announces iOS-compatible ChromeCast for TVs

Jordan Kahn Jul 24 2013 - 10:34 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKG5HDyTW8o#at=12

Google just wrapped up its breakfast with Android/Chrome chief Sundar Pichai and, on top of the expected next-gen Nexus 7 and Android 4.3 announcements, announced new products and services coming to iOS. It also launched a new Game Center-like service today for Android users called ‘Google Play Games’.

Google’s new iPad mini competitor will be coming with a new 1920×1200 display (323 pixels per inch), a 1.5GHz Snapdragon chip that’s 80% faster, and a 2mm thinner and 50 grams lighter frame while introducing smaller bezels. All that and more for considerably cheaper than the iPad mini at just $229 for the 16GB model when it launches this month.

When it comes to iOS announcements, Google showed off a new textbooks service as part of Google Play Books that will arrive on iPhone and iPad next month. It also unveiled its new $35 “Chromecast” HDMI streaming stick that allows users to send video content from mobile devices to a TV, and an SDK that will allow iOS developers to implement the Airplay-like streaming capabilities. Mac users will be able to take advantage of the device by sending tabs from Chrome to the big screen via the new Chromecast hardware.

Head below for full coverage of the event from our sister site 9to5Google:
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AT&T announces new 300MB & 2GB Mobile Share plans launching July 26

Jordan Kahn Jul 22 2013 - 10:55 am PT

AT&T announced today that it’s expanding unlimited talk and text Mobile Share plans to include two new data options including 300MB and 2GB. The new options will fill the gaps between the carrier’s current 1GB and 4GB plans, allowing users that use less data to take advantage of a less expensive plan.

The 300 MB plan is only $20 a month, with additional costs per device added. Now, customers with basic and quick-messaging devices can share data and unlimited talk and text for as low as $50 a month and smartphone customers for $70 a month.

The new 300MB plan will be available for $20 and the 2GB for $50 when they become available later this week on July 26th.

Crowdfunding Roundup: WigWag sensor system, remote control shutter, more

Scott Buscemi Jul 21 2013 - 9:13 am PT

As the success stories keep piling up, so do the number of projects filling up crowdfunding websites with, among other things, neat hardware- and software-related products. Some projects, like Pebble, gain thousands of supporters as well as millions of dollars in funding (and end up at Best Buy’s retail stores). Other projects flop and don’t reach their necessary funding amount.

Rather than make you sift through all of these projects, we’re rounding up the best or most notable projects from around the web and delivering them to you in a simple roundup.

WigWag (Kickstarter project) – In short, WigWag is an “if this, then that” system that works with WigWag devices and other “smart” devices like the Phillips Hue or Belkin WeMo outlets. The WigWag Sensor Block can detect humidity, light, motion, sound, temperature, and more. In addition, it can control other things through IR or an electronic relay.

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Even after disastrous $900M write-down on discounted Surfaces, Microsoft still attacking iPad in new ad [Video]

Zach Kahn Jul 19 2013 - 7:04 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE7AQY5Xk9w&feature=youtu.be

Despite Microsoft’s disastrous quarterly earnings report, in which it took a $900M writedown on discounted Surfaces, the company has just pushed out a new ad for its Surface v. iPad campaign.

As with its previous advertisements, Microsoft bashes the iPad’s inability to perform certain tasks that the Surface is specifically designed to handle. This particular ad highlights the iPad’s lack of built-in back stand, USB port, and keyboard accessory, all of which are not built-in to or included with the iPad.

Interestingly, in this ad, the Siri-inspired voiceover says, “This isn’t going to end well for me, is it? Nope definitely not ending well,” which is particularly intriguing given yesterday’s financial results. As evidenced by these results, it would appear that Microsoft’s Surface is in a precarious position, and not Apple’s iPad.
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Google to hit Apple’s iPad Mini with an upgraded Nexus 7, here are the leaked specs, gallery and video

Chance Miller Jul 17 2013 - 2:50 pm PT

via and more at AndroidCentral

Earlier today, Google invited the press to a July 24th event in San Francisco likely for an upgraded NExus 7 tablet, and we heard that the tablet will cost $229 for 16GB and $269 for 32GB. Retailers are also supposedly gearing up to receive stock of the device as early as July 20th and having firesales on the current versions.

Over at 9to5Google, we now have a gallery of images of what will likely be the next Nexus 7 tablet (by way of Android Central). Reports claim that the device will again be manufactured by ASUS and come in 16GB and 32GB models.

The tablet features two cameras, a 1.2MP shooter on the front and a 5MP rear made by Chicony.

As far as specs go, the Nexus 7 v2 is listed as having a Qualcomm APQ8064 motherboard with a Snapdragon S4 pro processor. The device is also said to have a whopping 4GB of DDR3L RAM?!?!, though that may not turn out to be correct. The tablet will also supposedly feature stereo speakers. These specs are exactly the same as what KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo predicted way back in May of this year.

Design wise, the device features a look similar to the original model. The volume rocker and power button are on the left hand side, while the microUSB port is on the bottom. It appears to be relatively thick for a 7-inch tablet and is made out of what looks like a similar rubber material….
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Report: At 56%, Apple TV takes majority of streaming device marketshare in 2012

Scott Buscemi Jul 16 2013 - 11:50 am PT

As the Apple TV continues to receive new channels, Frost & Sullivan’s “Analysis of the Global Consumer Video Devices Market” has the “hobby” device taking the lion’s share of the IP Streaming Devices market in 2012.

Roku took about a fifth of the marketshare and TiVo was down to just 6.5%. Notably, Google TV must have been placed into the “Others” slice of the pie.

Apple’s executives are quick to reiterate their view of the Apple TV as a “hobby device”, even as the content library begins to grow. The $99 device now has Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, WatchESPN, MLB.tv, NBA, NHL, WSJ Live, Sky News, YouTube, and a few others.

Just last week, Tim Cook and Eddy Cue attended the Sun Valley conference, where many tech and media big shots meet together and many impactful deals are made. Live TV or a larger content library could be in the Apple TV’s near future, depending on the negotiations with content providers and media networks.

Beeline becomes third Russian carrier to drop iPhone

Mike Beasley Jul 12 2013 - 2:39 pm PT

A report by Hi-Tech Mail (via PhoneArena) indicates that the Russian cellular carrier Beeline (through parent company VimpelCom) has decided against renewing its contract with Apple, making it the last of the country’s three major iPhone carriers to do so. Beeline has made a deal to offer Samsung devices on their network in place of Apple’s smartphone.

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Apple reportedly partners into chip fab to bring processor manufacturing in-house

Jordan Kahn Jul 12 2013 - 9:15 am PT

According to a report today from SemiAccurate, a semi-accurate site that has been hit and miss on Apple rumors in the past, Apple has just bought into a chip fab plant, backing up recent rumors that the company could be moving to build its own CPUs.

Apple has just done something that SemiAccurate has been expecting for months and entered the fab industry. No we are not joking, Apple just bought into a fab, and not in a trivial way either.

The full report remains behind a paywall, so it’s unclear if the site mentions a specific company that Apple has bought into. The tags for the report, however, do list “UMC”, a hint that the company in question could be Taiwan-based chipmaker United Microelectronics Corporation…

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Pebble announces 275k units sold to date, plans to add email notifications for iOS in 2-3 weeks

Jordan Kahn Jul 11 2013 - 11:10 am PT

Following the retail launch of its Bluetooth smartwatch at Best Buy earlier this month, Pebble is for the first time disclosing how many units its sold since its extremely popular Kickstarter campaign. Pebble is now at 275K orders to date, 190K of which came from its website after initially selling around 85k to its Kickstarter backers. Pebble also announced it has now hit over 1 million app downloads on the platform and plans to implement new features for iOS including email notifications and Gmail and iMAP support :

A major new feature on iOS will be available within 2-3 weeks. The feature has been lacking since launch: support for email notifications. At first, our testing with iOS 6 indicated that the built-in Bluetooth notification system would be able to send notifications Pebble. Unfortunately, that system only could reliably send SMS and iMessage to Pebble (ironically something we did not promise to support). We’ve finally cracked the email puzzle and the next Pebble iOS app will have full support for Gmail and IMAP email notifications.

Last month we reported that Apple would be offering a new Notification Center service to developers with iOS 7 that will allow Bluetooth devices like Pebble to access all notifications from Notification Center. Pebble hinted today that it has plans for the new Bluetooth profiles:

iOS 7 looks quite cool and useful but we can’t talk about it in detail until Apple releases it publicly. In the meantime, we’ll continue to work with it and test Pebble support under iOS 7..

Pebble’s Eric Migicovsky also clarified when preorders would be receiving their orders and announced he’d be holding a Reddit AMA today at 12pm PDT on reddit.com/r/pebble.

Apple’s U.S. PC shipments decline more than overall market if you don’t count iPads but do count Windows tablets

Mark Gurman Jul 10 2013 - 2:06 pm PT

Gartner is today out with a report detailing its estimates for Q2 2013 global and U.S. PC shipments. Globally, the industry average for shipments is down 10.9%. This is the fifth consecutive decline for this specific metric.

“We are seeing the PC market reduction directly tied to the shrinking installed base of PCs, as inexpensive tablets displace the low-end machines used primarily for consumption in mature and developed markets,” said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. “In emerging markets, inexpensive tablets have become the first computing device for many people, who at best are deferring the purchase of a PC. This is also accounting for the collapse of the mini notebook market.”

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Crowdfunding Roundup: GlassUp, Ziphius Aquatic Drone, Kickstand Projector, more

Scott Buscemi Jul 10 2013 - 12:25 pm PT

As the success stories keep piling up, so do the number of projects filling up crowdfunding websites with, among other things, neat hardware- and software-related products. Some projects, like Pebble, gain thousands of supporters as well as millions of dollars in funding (and end up at Best Buy’s retail stores). Other projects flop and don’t reach their necessary funding amount.

Rather than make you sift through all of these projects, we’re rounding up the best or most notable projects from around the web and delivering them to you in a simple roundup.
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T-Mobile announces Jump, an anytime upgrade club for $10 a month

Chance Miller Jul 10 2013 - 11:43 am PT

Just as several rumors suggested, T-Mobile has announced a new anytime upgrade plan at its press event today. ‘Jump’ will allow for customers to upgrade their phone more often than once every two years for an extra $10 a month every month. The plan will allow customers to trade-in their existing devices for a new one at the same or lower price. After a six month waiting period, customers will be able to upgrade their phone twice every year. The club will kick off on July 14th.

JUMP! from T-Mobile is designed to provide customers with total protection for one of their prized possessions: their smartphones. It offers the freedom to upgrade to a new device more affordably and protects against malfunction, damage, loss or theft — all for just $10 per month, per phone (plus taxes and fees). That’s just $2 more than most customers have been paying for handset protection alone.

“This is one of those things that annoys customers so much,” CEO John Legere said.
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Apple’s plans for IGZO display integration to extend to 2014 MacBooks?

Mark Gurman Jul 10 2013 - 11:30 am PT

Over the past few years, several reports have claimed that Apple is in talks with display makers like Sharp to implement IGZO screens inside of iOS Devices like iPads and iPhones. As thin and light devices, it makes sense that Apple would want to implement the ultra-thin and power efficient IGZO panels. At IFA Berlin last year, we had some hands-on time with an IGZO display, and we explained the benefits for small devices:

They can be built with under a 2 mm bezel. That means companies like Apple will be able to increase the size of displays on mobile devices while keeping the overall size of the device as compact as possible.

We also discussed the pluses in terms of power efficiency:

Sharp was showing off the benefits of low-power consumption with its IGZO displays by demoing the technology’s ability to consume one-fifth to one-tenth of the power consumed by a-Si displays. IGZO consumes less power for both backlight and driving the panel itself, allowing for longer lasting and smaller batteries in mobile devices.

Today, Korea IT News reports that talks between Apple and display manufactures for iPads based on IGZO displays are continuing. More surprising for the imminent product roadmap, however, are claims that Apple will also extend the technology to MacBook displays in the first half of 2014. Over the past few years, with the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, Apple has touted its ability to ship ultra-thin, high-resolution panels in its notebooks. IGZO displays, for the reasons explained above, could take this to the next level.

Also interesting in today’s report is that LG is apparently readying IGZO panels for Apple. This would seemingly be the first evidence of LG’s foray into IGZO display production.

Accordingly, Sharp is sinking its teeth into raising the production of IGZO panels; LG Display is upgrading its AM OLED and LCD production lines to ones capable of rolling out IGZO panels.

Sharp, who is currently a leader in IGZO display production, is also (unsurprisingly) still involved with Apple. Apple tends to want multiple part suppliers involved when it is building new products, so perhaps Apple has pushed its partner to help out on the IGZO end.

Microsoft hits Apple’s iPad with another TV ad about multitasking

Mark Gurman Jul 9 2013 - 3:07 pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG0yZLEPN_Y&feature=youtu.be

Microsoft is continuing its Windows 8 vs iPad TV commercial series by airing a new ad squarely focused on the multitasking capabilities in Windows 8 (via Tom Warren). On Windows 8 tablet devices, users can work in two apps side-by-side. Microsoft demonstrates this comparison in terms of work: agents communicating about baseball player prospects to their offices. Interestingly, MLB.com digital head said this earlier this year: “There’s no other [mobile platform]. It’s Apple and it’s Android.”

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AT&T teases ‘what’s next in wireless’ event on July 16

Mike Beasley Jul 9 2013 - 1:55 pm PT

AT&T sent out invitations today for a press event later this month teasing a look at “what’s next in wireless.” Whether that’s a new handset or a new wireless technology has yet to be revealed, but we’ll have all the details as soon as they come.
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HTC & Samsung miss expectations on Q2 earnings ahead of Apple’s financial call later this month

Jordan Kahn Jul 5 2013 - 6:01 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhM-DuM2WgE

Apple’s two biggest competitors in the smartphone space have reported their initial Q2 earnings report and estimates today ahead of Apple’s fiscal Q3 financial results later this month. While Samsung, which holds the second place spot behind Apple as top smartphone vendor in the US, is estimating profits of around $8.33 billion for the quarter, it also missed estimates due to slowed growth of its smartphone sales. Despite the record number marking an increase of around $2 billion from its Q1 profit, Samsung falls just short of the 10.16 trillion won that analysts were expecting for the company thanks to slowed momentum in its smartphone division.

HTC, which sits at #3 smartphone vendor in the US with 9% of the market behind Apple and Samsung, has posted disappointing earnings for the quarter. 9to5Google reports HTC profits are down 83% year-over-year….not too surprising considering it’s been losing share of the smartphone market in the US since February. According to the report it’s also seeing sales of its flagship HTC One drop in June after strong May sales.

Oh, and the ad above… That’s Samsung’s latest mocking iPhone users. This time it’s a little more niche than its other ads that have aired in the US and abroad, but the new Icelandic ad makes it quite clear that Apple is the target. We’re not sure about the ninja symbology, but the tagline for the ad translates to “Get a phone that understands you” and the ad focuses on lack of Icelandic language support on the iPhone.

As a reminder, Apple reported earnings of $43.6b in revenue for Q2 2013 and just last week announced its Q3 financial results will be reported later this month on July 23rd.

Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Smart Keypad adds convenient number pad/calculator in Apple design for $35

Mike Beasley Jul 2 2013 - 11:19 am PT

Santechi released a new Bluetooth keypad today that sports a similar look and feel to Apple’s aluminum wireless keyboard. The keypad works alongside any existing Bluetooth keyboard to give you access to a full number pad that doubles as a calculator at the press of a button. You can get it now on Amazon for $34.99.

The full press release is below:

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DISH and Southwest Airlines bring free, live & on-demand TV to smartphones & tablets on WiFi flights

Jordan Kahn Jul 2 2013 - 5:49 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vX8hPbUFM

DISH and Southwest Airlines announced a new partnership today that will allow iOS device users to access live and on-demand programming for free directly from their tablet or smartphone. It’s certainly an idea that we can get behind… After all, would you prefer watching live TV on your 10-inch Retina display or the barely visible 6-inch display typically built into airline seats?

To celebrate the launch of the new TV Flies Free service, DISH took to a Southwest flight yesterday to give out some free iPads and show passengers how the access to 75 on-demand shows and live TV streams work.

“DISH and Southwest are two iconic American brands known for putting the customer first, providing products, services and experiences they truly demand,” said DISH President and CEO Joe Clayton. “It’s only logical our two companies should team up to give passengers free live TV and on-demand shows on flights around the country.”

“Customers using DISH’s award-winning DISH Anywhere^TM and Hopper Transfers^TM apps on their iPad can watch all their live TV, DVR recordings and on-demand shows anywhere, anytime via Wi-Fi connection or Hopper Transfers. Now, on Southwest, they can use an iPad to watch free live TV and on-demand shows. It’s a perfect fit.”

Not only is the TV Flies Free service available to all of the 400 WiFi enabled Southwest planes, it’s also the first time onboard entertainment becomes free for SWA customers.

The live-TV lineup currently features Bravo, CNBC, FOX 5 New York (WNYW), FOX Business Network, FOX News Channel, Golf Channel, MLB.com (Major League Baseball, when games are available), MSNBC, NBC 4 (WNBC), NFL Network, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel. Popular TV show episodes are also available on demand as part of the TV lineup. Free TV, compliments of DISH, is a limited-time promotion.

Some screenshots of the new DISH/Southwest experience on iPad below:

Giveaway: Sol Republic Master Tracks headphones

Mike Beasley Jun 29 2013 - 9:00 am PT

Update: We have contacted the winner. Thanks to all who entered!

Looking for some over-the-ear headphones for your iPhone or Mac? Sol Republic’s Master Track headphones recently appeared in Apple’s online store as well as brick-and-mortar Apple Stores across the country, and we’ve got a pair to give to one lucky 9to5Mac reader. The Master Tracks retail for $199.95.

To enter, just comment on this post. We’ll randomly select one winner from the comments in 24 hours.

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Demo of the first public website using Safari’s new native push notifications feature [Video]

Scott Buscemi Jun 26 2013 - 6:15 pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=T4QrylM6th0

During the WWDC keynote, Apple introduced a new Safari 7 feature that allows developers to take advantage of native push notifications on their websites. Unlike HTML5 push notifications, which have been used by some browsers for some time now, native push notifications act like any other installed application’s notifications: they are branded for the web app rather than the browser, they can be used even when you aren’t on the website, and they can even pop up when Safari isn’t running.

Working with 9to5Mac, developer Connor LaCombe has developed the first public demo website that shows exactly how the feature works:

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Facebook phone experiment over as AT&T clears stock and nobody else steps forward

Ben Lovejoy Jun 25 2013 - 7:40 am PT

The final nail in the coffin of the Facebook phone seems to have been hammered into place as AT&T has sold the last of it’s HTC First handsets and has no plans to purchase any more, reports CNET.

AT&T had earlier denied that any plans had been made to discontinue the handset, but there had seemed little doubt about the handset’s future after the carrier dropped the price from $99 to 99 cents. Even Facebook itself went as far as telling users that the front-end could be switched off …
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European iPhone marketshare falls 5% in Q1 2013 according to IDC, whilst competitors grew, but Apple remains in second place

Benjamin Mayo Jun 25 2013 - 7:10 am PT

Figures from IDC released today show that iOS smartphone marketshare fell 5% year-over-year in Europe, even though iPhone growth in the US was very strong in the same period.

Apple’s share fell from 25% in Q1 2012 to 20% in Q1 2013, representative of approximately 6.2 million unit shipments. IDC notes that European smartphone market grew overall at a rate of just 12 percent, the slowest increase the company has ever recorded. The weakness in demand evidently hit Apple, but competing Android manufacturers have seen substantial share gains in the slump. Close rival Samsung, for instance, saw shipments rise by 1.8 million units to account for almost half of the whole market. Sony was another benefactor, gaining six percentage points over the period when compared to last year.

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Indiegogo project ‘Kreyos Meteor’ claims to be iPhone compatible voice, gesture-controlled smartwatch

Mike Beasley Jun 23 2013 - 11:02 pm PT

Apple’s iWatch is rumored to be launching later this year (or a little over a year from now, depending on who you ask), but an Indiegogo project called the Meteor by Kreyos promises an iPhone-comptatible watch that could give Apple’s hypothetical device—as well as other existing smart watches already on the market—some intriguing competition.

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Nokia compares its marketshare with last guy left on Earth [Video]

Zac Hall Jun 21 2013 - 9:56 am PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jhykBMh5IkQ

Nokia includes a cameo of the iPhone 5 in its new theatrical and bizarre new ad highlighting its Lumia 925 with… zombies.

Flash photography tends to wash out faces in images so Nokia seems to think it can fix that problem, but the iPhone 5 already specializes in low-light photography, right?

I guess the clearer message here is Nokia’s marketshare has dwindled down to the last guy left on Earth.